persuasion

noun per·sua·sion \pər-ˈswā-zhən\

: the act of causing people to do or believe something : the act or activity of persuading people

: a particular type of belief or way of thinking

Full Definition of PERSUASION

a : the act or process or an instance of persuading

b : a persuading argument

c : the ability to persuade : persuasiveness

: the condition of being persuaded

a : an opinion held with complete assurance

b : a system of religious beliefs; also : a group adhering to a particular system of beliefs

: kind, sort

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Origin of PERSUASION

Middle English persuasioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French persuasion, from Latin persuasion-, persuasio, from persuadēre

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PERSUASION

Synonyms: conversion, convincing, inducement, inducing, persuading, suasion

Antonyms: inconclusiveness, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness

Synonym Discussion of PERSUASION

opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true. opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute <each expert seemed to have a different opinion>. view suggests a subjective opinion <very assertive in stating his views>. belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent <a firm belief in her party's platform>. conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief <the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human>. persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth <was of the persuasion that everything changes>. sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings <her feminist sentiments are well-known>.